A camera having a depth of field which can be modified to produce desired photographic effects. The camera determines the depth of field for a subject when the subject is focused upon. A modification to the depth of field is determined based upon the distance to the subject, and the depth of field is modified to produce the desired photographic effect. In one embodiment, the depth of field is reduced, while, in another embodiment, the depth of field is shifted to place the subject slightly out of focus and to alter the focus of the background.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A method for controlling depth of field of a camera comprising: a device configured to: ascertain a distance from the camera to a subject; automatically determine a change for modifying the depth of field with respect to the subject; and implement the determined change for modifying the depth of field, wherein the depth of field is modified as a result of the implemented change.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the change comprises refocusing at a focus point other than the subject, wherein the depth of field moves with regard to the subject.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the moving the focus point comprises placing the subject ⅓ from a front of the depth of field.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the change comprises altering a size of the depth of field.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is further configured to: determine whether the camera is in a “modify depth of field” mode; and determine and implement the change only if the camera is in the “modify depth of field” mode.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device is further configured to focus on the subject and subsequently ascertain the distance from the camera to the subject.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the device is further configured to lock a lens position to prevent subsequent refocusing on the subject following the implementation of the change in the field of depth.
8. The method of claim 2 , wherein the device is further configured to provide an image preview of the subject after the depth of field is modified.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the automatic determination of the change involves the use of a look-up-table.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the look-up table is stored in a memory unit.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distance associated with an image is determined using position sensors associated with a lens system.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein a value determined for the distance is stored in a memory unit.
13. A computer program product embodied on a computer-readable storage medium for controlling depth of field of a camera, comprising: computer code for determining the depth of field for a subject; computer code for determining via a look-up-table, which is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, a change for modifying the depth of field with respect to the subject; and computer code for implementing the determined change for modifying the depth of field.
14. The computer program product of claim 13 , wherein the change comprises moving a focus point to a point other than the subject wherein the depth of field moves with regard to the subject.
15. The computer program product of claim 14 , wherein the moving the focus point comprises placing the subject ⅓ from a front of the depth of field.
16. The computer program product of claim 13 , further comprising computer code for determining whether the camera is in a “modify depth of field” mode, and wherein the determining and the implementing of the change occurs only if the camera is in the “modify depth of field” mode.
17. The computer program product of claim 13 , wherein the change comprises altering a size of the depth of field.
18. The computer program product of claim 14 , further comprising computer code for, prior to ascertaining a distance from the camera to the subject, focusing on the subject and computer code for locking a lens position to prevent subsequent refocusing on the subject following the implementation of the change in the field of depth.
19. The computer program product of claim 14 , further comprising computer code for storing in the computer-readable storage medium the distance associated with an image.
20. An electronic device, comprising: a processor for processing information; a memory unit operatively connected to the processor; and a digital camera, wherein the memory unit includes: computer code for ascertaining a distance from the camera to a subject; computer code for determining via a look-up-table, which is stored in the memory unit, a change for modifying the depth of field with respect to the subject; and computer code for implementing the determined change for modifying the depth of field.
21. The electronic device of claim 20 , wherein the electronic device includes a digital camera comprising part of a camera-phone.
22. The electronic device of claim 21 , wherein the digital camera comprises a charge coupled device.
23. The electronic device of claim 21 , wherein the memory unit further comprises computer code for refocusing at a point other than the subject wherein the depth of field moves with regard to the subject.
24. The electronic device of claim 21 , wherein the memory unit further comprises computer code for altering a size of the depth of field.
25. The electronic device of claim 21 , wherein the memory unit further comprises computer code for, prior to ascertaining the distance from the camera to the subject, focusing on the subject and computer code for locking a lens position to prevent subsequent refocusing on the subject following the implementation of the change in the field of depth.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
March 20, 2006
March 23, 2010
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